London — Authorities charged two men in connection with a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, a U.S. military air base in England. British nationals Mohmed Ahmad Abdulkarim and Nouman Essghir, both 24 and from London, faced charges on Tuesday under the National Security Act, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.
Abdulkarim is accused of aiding Iran’s intelligence service, while Essghir faces charges for entering a restricted area with harmful intent against the U.K. The base, located in western England, has been a site for American bombers conducting strikes against Iran during the current year’s conflict.
Essghir was detained near the base on September 27, coinciding with police and military bomb-disposal units searching the area for explosives. Residents were evacuated as authorities found gasoline in vehicles but no explosives. Initially released on bail, Essghir was re-arrested last week, while Abdulkarim’s arrest occurred recently. Investigations continue as six other men have been arrested and bailed.
British officials suggest Iran’s involvement in the incident, prompting the U.S. to relocate bombers from the base. Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated the scheme was “almost certainly” directed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Despite Tehran’s denial of involvement, Iran has indicated that it regards bases used for attacks on its territory as valid targets.
Earlier warnings from MI5’s chief Ken McCallum highlighted increasing threats from Iran and Russia towards the U.K., with the RAF Fairford plot among several incidents linked to Iranian state operations in Britain. More than 50 individuals have been arrested for Iran-related plots over the past year. Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of National Counter Terrorism Policing, expressed collaboration efforts to prevent and address these threats.
Note: A previous version inaccurately identified Abdulkarim as a British-Iranian national; he is solely British.